Britney Spears was — understandably — “in shock” and upset after a security guard smacked her in the face, according to a new report.
An eyewitness who reportedly saw a member of NBA star Victor Wembanyama’s security team hit the pop star claimed the singer was in disbelief and beelined to the bathroom after the smack.
Spears was reportedly “extremely agitated” over the altercation.
However, photos obtained by TMZ Friday show the “Hold Me Closer” singer, 41, sitting calmly with her arms crossed over her waist while in her booth at Catch inside the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
The Grammy winner — who was dressed in a green over-the-shoulder top, black leggings, knee-high tan boots and black sunglasses — appeared to even be smiling and laughing at one point.
She was seated alongside her husband, Sam Asghari, and manager Cade Hudson during the outing.
Despite taking the assault in stride, Spears aired out her true feelings about what took place via social media Thursday afternoon.
The “Toxic” singer took to both Instagram and Twitter to share in a lengthy post, “Traumatic experiences are not new to me and I have had my share fair of them. I was not prepared for what happened to me last night.”
Spears then shared that she only “tapped” Wembanyama, 19, to try to take a picture with the rising San Antonio Spurs player and did not “grab” him as he alleged in his press conference Thursday.
“His security then back handed me in the face without looking back, in front of a crowd,” the “Oops! … I Did It Again” singer further claimed in her post. “Nearly knocking me down and causing my glasses to fall off my face.”
Spears said the ordeal was “super embarrassing” and encouraged others in the public eye to “set an example and treat all people with respect.”
“Physical violence is happening too much in this world. Often behind closed doors,” she added. “I stand with all the victims and my heart goes out to all of you!!!”
Spears said she had not received a direct apology from Wembanyama, the Spurs or the security guard, who has been identified as the team’s security director, Damian Smith.
Pvnew has reached out to the Spurs and Wembanyama’s reps for comment but did not hear back.
However, Spears’ husband, who was present for the incident, is not holding the NBA player accountable, noting that the “violent behavior of an out-of-control security guard should not cast a shadow on the accomplishment of a great young man on the rise.
“The blame should fall on the coward who did this, the people who hired him without proper vetting, and a systematic culture of disregard for women within sports and entertainment,” Asghari, 29, added.
“I can’t imagine a scenario where an unarmed female fan showing any kind of excitement or appreciation for a celebrity would cause her to be physically assaulted, much less being hit in the face for tapping someone on the shoulder.”
Spears filed a police report following the incident and an investigation is pending.
Law enforcement sources previously told TMZ that the case is being handled as a criminal matter and it may be handed over to the District Attorney’s Office.
However, a public information officer for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department told Pvnew Thursday that “no arrest or citations have been issued.”
Spears’ reps did not immediately return Pvnew’s requests for comment.
